NEWCASTLE -- A fire that started in the garage severely damaged a Newcastle house Sunday night. Firefighters from three departments extinguished the fire, but it caused $250,000 damage, destroying the garage and both cars in it.

The blaze on the 11400 block of Southeast 88th Street was reported at 10:11 p.m. Firefighters from the Bellevue, Renton and Mercer Island departments responded. (Bellevue trucks were on the scene by 10:18.)

Both occupants in the home were able to escape safely, but the fire that started in their attached garage destroyed two cars, spread to the main house and even damaged siding on a neighboring home.

The homeowner said he had no idea what could have caused the fire. Bellevue fire investigators were sifting through the damage Monday to find possible causes.